So, this morning I woke up around 4:30 for no apparent reason and randomly, I started thinking about Fieros and chop tops and one question came to mind.

I was just curious on limits/standards/minimums/maximums of chopping. I'm not really in love with how low the roof gets on most chop tops. It just seems a little too low to me and out of proportion, unless you have a widebody, then it all seems to work out, but I was wondering if there's a certain "minimum" amount that needs to be taken off? I'd love to see a roof that has been lowered only slightly. How much is the roof lowered on an average chop top?

My mind was going wild with thoughts of things to do to the car. I figured if I was going to chop it, I'd try to find a parts car with a hardtop and swap the whole roof out (since the previous owner butchered the roof by putting in an aftermarket sunroof, it's quite mangled in some places.)

I remember reading somewhere about somebody on the forum chopping the top themselves, which is likely what I'll have to do if everything should work out for me, since Archie is just too far away. I'll have to dig that thread up later, but anyways, I'm pretty sure I had a few other crazy thoughts, but I can't remember them for the life of me right now.

Thanks,
Chris.

I don't have a chop top but I think I can shed some light on the subject. You can chop to any degree you like but unless you plan to develop your own windows (side) you may have problems with using the readily avaliable windows on the market (ex.Archies). Sence he had his made you could have yours made but there comes a very large price for one set as compared to many sets. I can't remember what kind Archies are made of but you could "experiment" with a sheet of the same material. Lots of "lexans", "plexi-glass'", and the such (acrylic?) can be cut with a fine tooth jig saw but it would be an experiment. I understand the want to do it your self and if you have a mind to do it you can. Others have.

Vinny

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88GT (permanently under the knife)
80 Trans am (also under the knife)
02 Trans am (sometimes under the knife)

I have seen choptops from 1" - 3" and I have even seen one in the past that had 5" off the top
IMO when I was looking to do mine I whent with Archie's for several reasons one I love the way the windshield lays back, I could get the windows with no real effort.
and after doing mine the way Archie does his I can say that it is a very well thought out chop.

I love the way the car looks from the outside but yes it does make things inside a bit harder to deal with. but things can be done inside to help
like remounting the seat lower.
it is all a mater of taste when it comes to these cars and the owners and sometimes you have to give up some things to be cool
D.

Oh, I completely agree, Archie would do a fantabulous job, but like I said, he's quite far away, getting the car down there would probably cost just as much as doing it myself. (Huzzah for 3-4 MPG! )

Any pictures of a 1" chop around?

quote Originally posted by Valkyrie: Oh, I completely agree, Archie would do a fantabulous job, but like I said, he's quite far away, getting the car down there would probably cost just as much as doing it myself. (Huzzah for 3-4 MPG! ) Any pictures of a 1" chop around?

I'm working on a two inch chop with windows from a production car. I have it on hold till I get my place sold from DFW area and get a shop here to work on stuff. I also am the first to complete a chop top Fiero with all glass about five years ago. Shoot me a PM I will try to help you were I can. This is my last Chop I finished it is three inches. I do not think I have seen a one inch would be a lot of work for a little difference.

The side glass is your issue and should be what you should worry about the most if undertaking a chop of your own. A 3 inch chop has the most readily available options for side windows, some glass, some lexan/acrylic/plastic. Also, depending on how you do a 3 inch chop, one style of windows will fit your car better/easier than others. Basically the hard part of a chop is the curved side glass and getting it to fit properly, everything else is basically welding and bodywork and keeping it all square. Talk to anyone and everyone you can who has, or has done a chop. The more info you have about the different options out there the better off you will be. With other size chops you would be on your own for glass and as far as I have seen plastic is the only option at this time. Also, if you do decide on doing a chop, get a practice junker to make, and learn from your mistakes on, you don't want to mess up your good car if you can help it.

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88blackchopv8

Chopping all depends on how far you want to take it.

Yep, there are many ways and we all have a different style. This is my Ford Ranger I did a four inch chop on it and it uses the oem windshield and side windows. I only had to have a back glass made for it. I have been trying to talk my wife into letting me chop her 09 GT Vibe but she thinks not she likes the more room it has as is. Maybe latter, when she gets tiered of it.

Another thing to consider is the amount of time performing a chop will take. I did mine all by myself in my spare time and my car was all cut up taking up space for 2 months unable to even move. Be sure your car can sit undisturbed for a long while, you don't want to rush yourself with a chop, patience is a virtue especially when chopping a car.

ahh peace, i like it, please let's keep it that way, hopefully this chop thread won't be killed like all the rest


merry christmas all!

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88blackchopv8

[This message has been edited by av8fiero (edited 12-24-2009).]

quote Originally posted by F355spider: I'm working on a two inch chop with windows from a production car. I have it on hold till I get my place sold from DFW area and get a shop here to work on stuff. I also am the first to complete a chop top Fiero with all glass about five years ago. Shoot me a PM I will try to help you were I can. This is my last Chop I finished it is three inches. I do not think I have seen a one inch would be a lot of work for a little difference.

Beautiful car! Can't wait to see the two inch. And yeah, one inch might be a lot for a little, but sometimes, less is more. I think a nice subtle chop can come off nicer than a completely drastic extreme one. It'll likely be awhile before I can get around to this (Curse winter and snow!) but I'll definitely have to get some advice from you when the time comes.

Is a 3 inch chop kinda the standard around here or are my eyes deceiving me? Your car looks different from the other chops I've seen around here...

Thanks,
You are correct the norm is three inch. Most people when doing a chop want to go as low as possible with a good out come. I like your thinking about little is better some times. I like that attitude and that is when different cars and new ideas come from. I am always looking to do things better and easier if possible. That is why my truck has a 4" chop and not a 6" chop because I designed it to be as low as possible with OEM windows. The same with the Fiero if I can do a two inch with the OEM side windows I found then more people will have more options. You might be able to do a one inch chop with the OEM windows by tilting them in and dropping the windshield down or bringing it up into the top more. I say like the above post, get a scrap car and a sawsall and have some fun.

i did a 2 inch chop. I've done two chops now. the first one was 3 inches. I went with a two inch chop so I would have more headroom. I'm just under 6'1''. On the two inch chop I lowered the windshield more than the 3 inch chop so it's really not noticeable how different they are until you sit in them. the two inch chop has tenzo racing seats sitting on the floor and I have plenty of room to spare. The 3 inch has fiero seats sitting on the floor and it's a tight fit. If you search for the wisconsin dells show from this year you will find pictures of both sitting next to eachother. the tall one is orange. the short one is green.

Joshua
Just wondering if you used my windows on the two inch chop or went another way and if so did they fit the two inch OK.
Put up a picture would like to see it.

I did use your windows and the fit is good. better that the last chop. I did have to shim the seal behind the quarter glass again but it's hidden. I just got a new computer and now need a usb for my iphone or have to buy a camera. the best I can do right now is find some pictures already on the forum. Actually if you pm me your email address I can send you what I have.

[This message has been edited by joshua riedl (edited 12-28-2009).]

quote Originally posted by joshua riedl: I did use your windows and the fit is good. better that the last chop. I did have to shim the seal behind the quarter glass again but it's hidden. I just got a new computer and now need a usb for my iphone or have to buy a camera. the best I can do right now is find some pictures already on the forum. Actually if you pm me your email address I can send you what I have.

I'm confused here. Are you saying the the 2" chop you did is using OEM side glass? BTW, both of your cars look great! I have always loved the look of the chop top but for my personal taste 3" was too much. The 2" you did looks to me to be perfect given the mods I have planned.

They are not oem. They are the windows 355 had made for fiero chops.

Joshua
The cars look great. So aggressive looking and still say Fiero.

quote Originally posted by joshua riedl:

It's "tweaked"... that's what I like. It's good to be different.

quote Originally posted by joshua riedl: Here's one that's not on the forum yet.

Fiero...now made by Crayola. Awesome looking cars man, and people definitely see you coming!

Thanks guys.